MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 finalist Jono Hawthorne to launch first solo venture

MasterChef: The Professionals 2020 finalist Jono Hawthorne is set to open his own restaurant, Chef Jono at Vice & Virtue.

The chef was the head chef at Vice and Virtue alongside executive head chef and restaurateur Luke Downing since May 2019. As chef patron, he will be free to take the venue in an even more personal direction. 

Announcing the news on his Instagram page, the chef said: "Today I am happy to announce that I will be taking over Vice & Virtue Restaurant as chef patron, my first solo venture."

Describing the launch as the achievement of a dream, he said that "everything I have ever worked for has been for this moment. I now have a place I can call my own and I couldn’t be more excited for what is to come!"

Biography

After attending the Thomas Danby food college in Leeds, the Yorkshire chef and was taken on by Wayne Brimbicombe to finish his apprenticeship at Beeties in Saltaire.

Since then, he has trained in some of the world's most progressive and sought after professional kitchens, from Michelin-starred Noma, The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds and The Box Tree Ilkley.

His appearance on MasterChef: The Professionals last year allowed him to showcase his leftfield style and his mastery of culinary fundamentals, impressing judges Monica Galetti, Marcus Wareing, guest judge and two Michelin-starred chef Andrew Wong as well as critics Grace Dent and Tom Parker-Bowles.

Speaking on his performance on the show, Marcus Wareing said: “Jono without a doubt is different and there’s a lot of things he’s doing; he’s pushing the boundaries.” 

Chef Jono at Vice & Virtue is open for reservations as of May 19th, with dates available through June and July.